I visited...
Tommy the Tar with the North Carolina Flag!
Fort Fisher Aquariam
The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher located in Kure Beach, NC. It is one of the three aquariums located in North Carolina. There I took a "journey" down the Cape Fear River, from freshwater streams and swamps, to coastline habitats, to reefs and to the open ocean. I saw all types of sea life!
Fort Fisher
During the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept North Carolina's port in Wilmington open to blockade runners supplying goods to the Confederate Armies. By 1865, the port in Wilmington was the only route still open to get supplies to the Armies. After an assault by land and sea, Fort Fisher fell on January 15, 1865 and this defeat was crucial to the fate of the Confederacy.
The Carolina Coast
North Carolina's legendary beaches are one of the hottest attractions of our Nation. With 3,375 miles of shoreline, NC beaches offer something for everyone from history, to fishing, to relaxing with your toes in the sand. Regardless if you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, the Carolina Coast can provide a wealth of beauty.
The USS North Carolina Battleship
During World War II, the USS North Carolina was used to carry out many missions in the Pacific area of operations. The ship took part in shore bombardments, sank a troopship, and destroyed enemy aircrafts. The ship was decommissioned in 1947 and sent to the Inactive Reserve Fleet. In 1958, it was announced the ship would be scrapped, but the citizens of NC stepped up to save the ship and bring it home to NC. The ship was relocated to Wilmington, NC and in 1962 it was dedicated as the state's memorial to World War II veterans and the 10,000 North Carolinians who died in the war.
Cape Lookout, Core Banks, NC
The original Cape Lookout lighthouse was built in 1812 to aid mariners. There was a huge need for the lighthouse because of all of the shipwrecks that had occurred. The name of the lighthouse came from the shoals that surround the lighthouse, they are called Lookout Shoals but some of the locals will call the shoals "diamond shoals," hence the diamond pattern on the lighthouse. Most days you cannot climb the lighthouse, it is a very rare occasion for climbing to be open to the public. This is a great area to vacation to, the beach is public but the only way to arrive here is by boat or ferry!
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Morehead City, NC
This is the 53rd year of the Big Rock Tournament! Every year about 150 boats enter the tournament to try and catch the biggest blue marlin. The grand prize is typically over a million dollars. This is one of the largest blue marlin tournaments on the east coast of the United States. It is always a fun time to come watch the weigh ins at the end of each fishing day. People are usually weighing in tuna, wahoo, dolphin, and marlin. With some luck you can see a 800 pound+ blue marlin.
Old Baldy
Old Baldy is located on Bald Head Island, NC. It is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina. It was built in 1817 and cost a little under $16,000 to build. I climbed up all 108 steps, 5 landing, and a wood ladder to get to the very top of the lighthouse. It is no longer in service, but is used as a tourist attraction.
EUE/SCREEN GEMS STUDIOS
EUE/SCREEN GEMS Studios is the largest film and television stage complex on the east coast and is located in Wilmington, NC. The studios are used to film movies, TV series and commercials. Movies such as Sleeping with the Enemy, The Crow, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Weekend at Bernie's, The Color Purple, A Walk to Remember, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Domestic Disturbance are just a few of the movies filmed in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. Dawson's Creek, Matlock & One Tree Hill are some of the many TV series also filmed there. With Wilmington being a major site for the film industry, it has come to be known by its nickname... WILMYWOOD!
